I’m currently available for behavior work for a limited time and number of clients
23 years of dog [people really] training experience
I believe that dog training involves teaching the human end of the leash as well as the dog end. And this is true in K9 Nose Work as well as manners and skills training. Many family dogs can benefit from the activity of Nose Work. It’s THE most natural thing for a dog to do. In classes dogs learn how to get to the source of the scent. handlers learn to read the dogs movements to learn how the scent is moving and when their dog is ‘at source’ or as close as they can get to it. We all know dogs have great noses, however most dogs don’t learn to used their fantastic ability because we put a dog dish down in front of them a couple of times a day. Our dogs don’t have to source a bunny to live! Nose Work changes that ability.
Meet Joyce
Training dogs and their people in the PNW for 23 + years
Joyce Biethan MPT, CPDT, CNWI. I am the owner and CEO of Joyce’s Dogs. I have a 23 year history of providing a wide range of canine training services to house pets and competition dogs. In 2001 I left my 25 year career as a Physical Therapist to pursue full-time my passion for training both ends of the leash full-time.
In late 2009 I was introduced to the sport of K9 Nose Work and my intrigue quickly turned into a passion. In January 2011 I became a Certified Nose Work Instructor [CNWI]. I spend a minimum of 10 days a year in continuing education course work. This is essential to keep up to date with the advancing science of canine behavior, and of scent detection for the non-professional detection dog.
In 2018 I ‘sort of’ retired. Now I’ve moved to Spokane and have a hankering to do some teaching again on a part time basis. I’m also available for private coaching, or small groups that share my fee and organize themselves.
I have owned a variety of dogs, both mixed and pure breeds some of which have been my best teachers. My current ‘pack’ includes Split, a [probably] Border Collie-Aussie mix I found on a street near my home, and Mozart, a [probably] min-pin-wire doxie mix. Below is a little bit of info on dogs I have shared my life with:
Mycurrent dogs included:
- Split – found 2 miles from my house in 2011. She humored Rider enough to get him to play with her. Unclaimed in spite of my search for an owner, she became a keeper. I love her, but honestly, I don’t always like her. Her middle name is “ME, ME, ME. She believes everyone on the planet was born to rub her belly. And she doesn’t care who is in her way when she wants something. She just plows through!
- Mozart is a ‘failed foster’ because of significant behavior issues. I feel lucky that I was able to see past the three puncturing bites he gave me. I figured out his “issues’ put him on psychoactive medication and he is a hoot to live with. He is smarter than Split, with an un ending work ethic. He loves learning tricks and Nose Work and is a way better dog because of his involvement in dog sports.
The following dogs are sadly gone now, but not forgotten.
Ashley was the first dog in my adult life. I adopted her at one year of age and lost her to cancer at not yet five. She was amazing. We did competitive obedience and she went from AKC Novice A to UDX in 11 months. Sadly she died 4 weeks to the day after getting her last 8 UDX legs in 9 shows.
Echo was a Belgian Sheepdog, the 2nd dog in my adult life. He was a pup when I lost Ashley. He had multiple medical issues both neurological and metabolic and I had to let him go at 6 years of age. We dabbled in Obedience and went to BSD Nationals for obedience twice.
Mick, a BC/Aussie cross was a dream dog. I adopted him at 20 months from a friend who was struggling with too many dogs. He had advanced AKC and UKC obedience tittles and we also did agility. He was on a flyball team of dogs that didn’t bark. It was all in the training, no corrections required. I lost him at nearly 17 years of age.
Rider, my 2nd Belgian Sheepdog taught me more about dog training then I ever though I needed to know. I did not exist for him till I found Dawn Jecs who helped me learn a unique training method based in teaching the dog to volunteer his attention, and to see me as a leader, not a dominator. I truly believe that the behavior problems of many dogs lies in their need for leadership, not to be confused with dominance. Rider was dog aggressive as well. Split was the only playmate he ever had in his adult life. I lost Rider to Lymphoma 3 months after Split came to our pack.
Simon was a Silky Terrier a friend found on the streets. Simon didn’t know anything because he didn’t need to. He was naturally polite, knew how to express his few needs, and didn’t want a job. Nine weeks after I lost Rider to lymphoma I lost Simon to a different form of the same. Cancer Sucks!
Thanks so much for taking the time to investigate Joyce’s Dogs.
Joyce's Dogs 